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Searing Flames Ruin Patrick Henry
Home
Many Relics Left by Historic Orator of Revolutionary Days
Are Rescued by Quick Work of Neighbors Aroused by Boy
[Richmond Times Dispatch, February 19, 1919]
In the destruction last week of "Red Hill," the
home of Patrick Henry, one more of the old Colonial homesteads
around which clusters so much tradition of all that was high
and noble in the early history of the State has fallen prey
to the ravages of time. Fire, with licking tongue and searing
flame, has taken its toll. Now only charred timbers and ruin
mark the spot where once stood the beautiful home restored
by the loving hands of Mrs. Matthew Bland Harrison, great-granddaughter
of Patrick Henry.
It was at "Red Hill" that
the famous orator of Revolutionary days spent the last years
of his life. It was in his big chair in the living room there
that he died, and his grave is in the garden adjoining the
house. When Mrs. Harrison bought the old home place and 1,000
acres surrounding it, from the other heirs, she had extensive
improvements made under the direction of Charles Barton Keen,
of Philadelphia, famous for his restoration of Southern homes,
but the room in which her grandfather died was left unaltered
out of respect to his memory.
The fire which destroyed the house
was discovered about 8 o'clock last Thursday morning by a
colored boy who was driving cows to the lowlands at the time.
He gave the alarm. Neighbors and tenants were unable to save
anything but the furniture on the first floor and articles
of clothing on the second floor. Among the many portraits
destroyed was one of Governor Spottswood and one of his wife.
Had not the wind been low at the time,
the outbuildings would undoubtedly have caught from burning
embers. One of the outbuildings is the historic law office
of Patrick Henry. Years ago the office of his grandson, William
Wirt Henry, which was in the front yard, was moved and joined
with Patrick Henry's old office. In the five rooms of the
two small buildings is now gathered all the rescued furniture
from the house. The precious paintings and the relics around
which so much sentiment gathers are now temporarily stored
until rebuilding is completed or other arrangements are made.
Probably the most valuable of the
works of art saved from the fire was Valentine's bust of William
Wirt Henry. It is generally considered the best bust Valentine
ever made.
With the exception of Mount Vernon,
the location of "Red Hill" is the best in the state.
It is at the junction of Halifax, Campbell, and Charlotte
Counties, looking out over the broad, rolling slopes leading
down to the Staunton River. In the distance are rugged uplands
on which thousands of head of cattle graze. Lynchburg is the
nearest city, thirty miles distant. This isolation accounts
for the fact that "Red Hill" has been so little
visited in spite of its historical appeal.
Mrs. Harrison will continue to live
at "Red Hill." She will have the building used as
the law office of Patrick Henry fitted up as her residence.
At present she is at the home of a neighbor. It is understood
that the loss on the residence is covered by insurance.
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